77: Li Huayuan summoned

A streak of green rainbow streaked across the sky, silently landing in front of Huangfeng Valley's mountain protection formation.

Lin Feng took out his identity token, a flash of light, and his figure disappeared into it.

He leisurely flew towards his Immortal Cave, stepping on his small leaf, feeling quite good.

However, when his Immortal Cave was distantly in sight, Lin Feng's escape light paused slightly, his figure hovering in the dense forest of a mountain peak.

His Divine Sense detected a familiar figure standing quietly in front of his Immortal Cave's stone door.

"Han Li?"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of doubt surfacing in his heart.

Shouldn't this guy be in seclusion in his own Immortal Cave, preparing to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage? Why does he have the leisure to come here?

He carefully sensed Han Li's aura; it was steady and long, with spiritual power restrained, and his expression was calm, clearly not encountering any trouble.

Since it wasn't him personally asking for help, it was most likely entrusted by someone else.

Thoughts raced through Lin Feng's mind, and he instantly had a few guesses, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

He tidied his robes, put away the broken leaf, and with a flutter of his figure, silently descended towards the Immortal Cave's entrance.

"Old Brother Han, long time no see. Why do you have time to grace my humble abode?"

A calm and gentle voice sounded from behind, and Han Li's body trembled, turning his head sharply.

When he saw that the person was Lin Feng, he was first delighted, but then the expression on his face froze.

He widened his eyes, scrutinizing Lin Feng from head to toe, feeling the spiritual power fluctuation that was completely different from the Qi Refinement Stage, smooth and natural, his mouth slightly agape, his face full of disbelief.

"Senior Brother Lin! You... you... have you Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment?"

Han Li's voice carried a hint of imperceptible dryness and envy.

He believed that with the Heaven-Defying object like the Heaven-Controlling Bottle and countless Medicinal Pills to assist him, his Cultivation speed was already astonishing. But compared to this person, who also had a pseudo-Spiritual Root, he was still far behind.

"It was just a stroke of luck." Lin Feng smiled indifferently.

His gaze fell on Han Li, and he nodded approvingly: "I see that Old Brother Han's spiritual power is fully integrated and complete, and his Foundation is extremely solid. I imagine Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is only a matter of time for him."

These words made Han Li feel a little more comfortable, but the sense of shock brought by the gap still lingered.

He composed himself, cupped his hands towards Lin Feng, and solemnly returned the bow: "I dare not compare myself to Senior Brother Lin. It's embarrassing to say, but my visit this time is not to disturb you. In fact, my Master sent a message, asking me to invite Senior Brother Lin over. My Master has something to discuss with you."

"Li Huayuan?" Lin Feng understood in his heart; it seemed his guess was spot on.

In the original novel, the first formal meeting between Li Huayuan and Han Li seemed to be somewhat related to Hong Fu.

Now that Hong Fu regarded him differently, it was reasonable for Li Huayuan to be curious.

"Since Junior Martial Uncle Li has summoned me, I shall obey." Lin Feng smiled indifferently, making a gesture for Han Li to lead the way, "Old Brother Han, please lead the way."

Han Li nodded, first conjuring his broken leaf, and the two transformed into a streak of light, flying towards Dome Peak where Li Huayuan was located.

On Dome Peak, clouds and mist swirled, and the Spiritual Qi was several times denser than in the outer mountain range.

The two landed in front of Li Huayuan's Immortal Cave, Green Wave Cave.

Before Han Li could step forward to announce their presence, the Immortal Cave's stone door opened with a "rumble," and a young Cultivator with a resolute face, tall stature, and radiating an awe-inspiring righteous Qi walked out.

Upon seeing this person, Han Li quickly stepped forward, respectfully cupping his hands in a bow: "Senior Brother Liu!"

The Cultivator surnamed Liu looked at Han Li and the other, a hint of doubt in his eyes, clearly not familiar with his new Junior Brother: "Who are you two?"

Han Li hastily explained: "Senior Brother Liu, I am Han Li, a new Disciple taken in by Master. This is Senior Brother Lin Feng, who has come to pay his respects at Master's command."

"Lin Feng?"

When Senior Brother Liu heard this name, he was first stunned, then a look of realization appeared on his face, his gaze instantly sweeping past Han Li and landing on Lin Feng, his originally calm expression instantly becoming several times more enthusiastic.

"So you are Junior Brother Lin Feng! Senior Brother, I have heard your name mentioned several times by Senior Martial Uncle Hong Fu!"

Senior Brother Liu strode forward, patting Lin Feng heavily on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration and praise.

"Junior Brother's actions in the Blood Forbidden Ground truly make us Cultivators feel ashamed! With a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation, fighting Yao Beasts alone, turning the tide, Senior Brother deeply admires you! If there's an opportunity, I must join Junior Brother in eradicating demons and defending the Dao, upholding justice!"

Han Li stood stiffly, his hands cupped, watching his Senior Brother and Lin Feng enthusiastically converse, as if he were invisible, a hint of awkwardness appearing on his face.

Lin Feng secretly chuckled, thinking, even Old Devil Han has his day.

Yet, he humbly said: "Senior Brother Liu overpraises me. I merely gained some insignificant fame by chance. In fact, Junior Brother Han is truly gifted, with a steady Heart-Nature. His immortal path is promising in the future, and his prospects are limitless!"

With Lin Feng's mention, Senior Brother Liu then seemed to just notice Han Li beside him.

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Han Li's Qi Refinement Stage Perfection Cultivation, and the enthusiasm in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by an expression of an Elder looking at a Junior.

"Oh, right."

He patted Han Li's shoulder again, but this time the force and meaning were completely different from before.

"Junior Brother Han, since you have joined Master's sect, you must Cultivate diligently and not disappoint Master's expectations. On the path of Cultivation, one step slow means every step slow; you must not be negligent."

These words were entirely in the tone of an Elder lecturing a Junior, a stark contrast to the equal and respectful attitude he had just shown Lin Feng.

Han Li's expression became even stiffer; he could only lower his head and respond: "Yes, Junior Brother will keep Senior Brother's teachings in mind."

"Alright, Master and Senior Martial Uncle Hong Fu are waiting for you inside, go in." Senior Brother Liu instructed, then brushed past the two and left on his own.

Han Li took a deep breath, forcing out a smile uglier than crying, and said to Lin Feng: "Senior Brother Lin, let's go in."

With that, he led the way into the Immortal Cave.

Inside the Immortal Cave, the space was quite spacious, decorated in an ancient and elegant style.

On the main seat sat a middle-aged Cultivator with a refined appearance, exuding an aura of authority without anger, none other than Huangfeng Valley's Core Formation Elder Li Huayuan.

Beside him, nestled close, was a charming middle-aged beautiful woman, presumably his Dao Companion.

And on the guest seat, a woman dressed in red, with a beautiful face and a somewhat heroic temperament, was sitting gracefully, sipping tea. She was none other than Hongfu Immortal.

Lin Feng and Han Li walked in one after another, bowing in unison.

"Junior Lin Feng (Disciple Han Li), pays respects to Senior Li, Senior Hong Fu, and Master's wife."

The gazes of the three almost simultaneously focused on Lin Feng.

Upon sensing his genuine Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation, surprise flashed in the eyes of Li Huayuan and his Dao Companion, while Hongfu Immortal's beautiful eyes lit up, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Li Huayuan and Hong Fu exchanged a glance, nodding imperceptibly.

He first turned his gaze to his Disciple, Han Li, and spoke in a deep, calm voice, beginning to inquire about Han Li's Cultivation progress, pointing out several areas where his spiritual power circulation was sluggish, which could be considered diligent and responsible.

The questioning proceeded exactly as in the original novel.

Finally, Li Huayuan said indifferently: "Your Foundation is quite stable, but the Cultivation Technique you practice is too shallow and no longer suitable for you. Go to the inner sect's scripture pavilion and choose a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Technique for yourself."

Han Li was overjoyed to hear this and quickly assented.

Just as Han Li was contemplating which Cultivation Technique to choose, Hongfu Immortal, who was beside him, suddenly spoke, but her target was not Han Li.

"Lin Feng."

Her voice was clear and pleasant, carrying a hint of appreciation for Lin Feng.

Lin Feng's heart stirred, and he stepped forward: "Junior is here."

"Although your Foundation is incredibly solid, you have just Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, and I presume you still have many unresolved questions regarding the use of spiritual power in the Foundation Establishment Stage." Hong Fu's Phoenix eyes stared intently at Lin Feng, "Tell me, when you circulate your Qi in your daily cycles, at which Meridians nodes do you feel obscure blockages?"

Upon hearing this, not only was Han Li, who was about to choose a Cultivation Technique, stunned, but even Li Huayuan and his Dao Companion showed a hint of surprise.

This was almost equivalent to a Core Formation Elder giving a Junior private, one-on-one guidance.

Han Li stood rooted to the spot, his heart a mix of emotions.

His Master had only given a few perfunctory pointers before sending him off to choose a Cultivation Technique. Yet, Lin Feng, an outsider, could receive such detailed favor from another Core Formation Elder.

The disparity between people was simply too great.

But he dared not say more; he could only suppress this complex emotion in his heart, and at a glance from Li Huayuan, he silently retreated to the scripture pavilion.

Before long, Han Li returned, holding a Jade Slip in his hand, which was precisely the seemingly ordinary but infinitely potential Qingyuan Swordplay.

Li Huayuan saw that he had made his choice and, with a faint smile, encouraged him as usual: "This Cultivation Technique is upright and harmonious, quite suitable for you. Cultivate diligently and do not be negligent. It's getting late, you should go back now."

"Yes, Disciple takes his leave." Han Li respectfully bowed.

He walked to Lin Feng's side, gently patted his arm, signaling to leave together.

The two turned, about to walk out of the Immortal Cave.

"Wait, Lin Feng, you stay."

A clear yet authoritative voice suddenly echoed in the Immortal Cave.

It was Hong Fu.

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